St. James Episcopal marks anniversary with tours

Celebrating 150 years

St. James Episcopal Church is opening its doors to the community this summer as the church begins to celebrate its 150 years in Hendersonville.

PATRICK SULLIVAN/TIMES-NEWS

By AMY B. MCCRAWTimes-News Correspondent

Published: Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 11:18 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 11:18 a.m.

St. James Episcopal Church is opening its doors to the community this summer as the church begins to celebrate its 150 years in Hendersonville.

“We’re excited about 150 years,” said the Rev.

Tim Jones, church deacon.

“St. James has been known because it is really a beautiful building. We want to let folks know it is more than a pretty building. There is also the story of the people.”

Church leaders are offering visitors the chance to learn more about the church building and its people with a tour today and others scheduled for later this summer. The church is also planning an anniversary celebration for September.

The guided tours will begin at 10 a.m. today at the church, at 766 N. Main St., and on Aug, 10, Aug. 24 and Aug. 31. A tour is also scheduled for Sept. 7.

Reservations are not required. The tours will include glimpses of the church’s beautiful English stained glass windows and its 72-foot bell tower with its eight bells from the Whitechapel Foundry in London.

Church member Charles Medd said he thinks visitors will find the windows and bell tower fascinating.

“The windows are very beautiful and are insured for a million and a half dollars,” he said. The bell tower with its eight bells that change positions is also inspiring, he said. But Medd and Jones also said that, over the years, the members of St. James have contributed the most to the church’s rich history.

Historical records show that the Episcopal congregation of St. John in the Wilderness in Flat Rock first showed an interest in forming an Episcopal Church in Hendersonville as early as 1843 and resolved to devote offerings toward providing afternoon services in Hendersonville, according to a brief history of St. James provided by the church.

St. James was consecrated in 1863 but struggled until the early 1900s, when it was revitalized under the leadership of the Rev. Reginald Wilcox.

Over the years, St. James was instrumental in the founding of other churches and missions in the communities surrounding Hendersonville.

In 1933, the church founded the School for Little Folks as an outreach to the community. Today, the school operates as a Christian preschool and day care for children from 12 months to 5 years old.

The school has been awarded a five-star rating from the N.C. Division of Child Development and Early Education.

The members of St.

James also led the way in creating several community service organizations in Hendersonville.

Jones said St. James members have also been actively involved over the years in the Boys & Girls Club and the Hendersonville Rescue Mission, where he also works.

“What they were trying to do was bearing witness to Christ,” he said.

“It is a great privilege for me to get to serve in a place that has such a history.”

Architect Erle Stillwell completed the design of the current church building in 1916. Stillwell was responsible for the designs of several buildings in Hendersonville and was a member of St.

James.

A total renovation of the church began in 1963. The stained glass windows were dedicated in 1968, and the bell tower was dedicated in 1978. The church was remodeled again in the 1990s, when a Harrison and Harrison organ was installed.

Jones said he sees the church’s history every time he leads a service.

Some of the items he uses during services were donated in 1969 but are considered new by the standards of the 150-year-old church.

Other reminders of the church’s long history are even older and a little odd, he said.

“We have a priest who died after World War I buried under the altar,” Jones said with a chuckle.

As St. James looks past 150 years toward the future, Jones said he thinks its members will continue working in the community and form connections with their neighbors, just as they always have.

“It is a church on the move that is very community- oriented,” he said. “… It’s easy for churches to become museums. They are not about looking inward. They are about looking outward.”

Jones said he hopes the upcoming anniversary will also allow members and others to consider all that St. James has done in the community over the years.

“A lot of people and a lot of prayers have been in this building for a long time,” he said.

For more information about St. James Episcopal Church, visit the church’s website at www.stjamesepiscopal.diocesewnc.org or call 693-7458.

<p>St. James Episcopal Church is opening its doors to the community this summer as the church begins to celebrate its 150 years in Hendersonville.</p><p>“We're excited about 150 years,” said the Rev.</p><p>Tim Jones, church deacon.</p><p>“St. James has been known because it is really a beautiful building. We want to let folks know it is more than a pretty building. There is also the story of the people.”</p><p>Church leaders are offering visitors the chance to learn more about the church building and its people with a tour today and others scheduled for later this summer. The church is also planning an anniversary celebration for September.</p><p>The guided tours will begin at 10 a.m. today at the church, at 766 N. Main St., and on Aug, 10, Aug. 24 and Aug. 31. A tour is also scheduled for Sept. 7.</p><p>Reservations are not required. The tours will include glimpses of the church's beautiful English stained glass windows and its 72-foot bell tower with its eight bells from the Whitechapel Foundry in London.</p><p>Church member Charles Medd said he thinks visitors will find the windows and bell tower fascinating.</p><p>“The windows are very beautiful and are insured for a million and a half dollars,” he said. The bell tower with its eight bells that change positions is also inspiring, he said. But Medd and Jones also said that, over the years, the members of St. James have contributed the most to the church's rich history.</p><p>Historical records show that the Episcopal congregation of St. John in the Wilderness in Flat Rock first showed an interest in forming an Episcopal Church in Hendersonville as early as 1843 and resolved to devote offerings toward providing afternoon services in Hendersonville, according to a brief history of St. James provided by the church.</p><p>St. James was consecrated in 1863 but struggled until the early 1900s, when it was revitalized under the leadership of the Rev. Reginald Wilcox.</p><p>Over the years, St. James was instrumental in the founding of other churches and missions in the communities surrounding Hendersonville.</p><p>In 1933, the church founded the School for Little Folks as an outreach to the community. Today, the school operates as a Christian preschool and day care for children from 12 months to 5 years old. </p><p>The school has been awarded a five-star rating from the N.C. Division of Child Development and Early Education. </p><p>The members of St. </p><p>James also led the way in creating several community service organizations in Hendersonville. </p><p>Those organizations include the Medical Loan Closet, Interfaith Assistance Ministry, African Medical Mission and the Thursday Thrift Shop. </p><p>Jones said St. James members have also been actively involved over the years in the Boys & Girls Club and the Hendersonville Rescue Mission, where he also works. </p><p>“What they were trying to do was bearing witness to Christ,” he said. </p><p>“It is a great privilege for me to get to serve in a place that has such a history.” </p><p>Architect Erle Stillwell completed the design of the current church building in 1916. Stillwell was responsible for the designs of several buildings in Hendersonville and was a member of St. </p><p>James. </p><p>A total renovation of the church began in 1963. The stained glass windows were dedicated in 1968, and the bell tower was dedicated in 1978. The church was remodeled again in the 1990s, when a Harrison and Harrison organ was installed. </p><p>Jones said he sees the church's history every time he leads a service. </p><p>Some of the items he uses during services were donated in 1969 but are considered new by the standards of the 150-year-old church. </p><p>Other reminders of the church's long history are even older and a little odd, he said. </p><p>“We have a priest who died after World War I buried under the altar,” Jones said with a chuckle. </p><p>As St. James looks past 150 years toward the future, Jones said he thinks its members will continue working in the community and form connections with their neighbors, just as they always have. </p><p>“It is a church on the move that is very community- oriented,” he said. “… It's easy for churches to become museums. They are not about looking inward. They are about looking outward.” </p><p>Jones said he hopes the upcoming anniversary will also allow members and others to consider all that St. James has done in the community over the years. </p><p>“A lot of people and a lot of prayers have been in this building for a long time,” he said. </p><p>For more information about St. James Episcopal Church, visit the church's website at www.stjamesepiscopal.diocesewnc.org or call 693-7458.</p>